Thursday, July 17, 2014: After launching the similar policy in Gujarat in 2011, Delhi can be the second state to have rent-a-roof policy. The Delhi Government has given a strong indication that it is planning to replicate the rent-a-roof scheme of Gujarat in Delhi, which was introduced by then chief minister and current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
NDMC(New Delhi Municipal Corporation) announced a detailed plan this week which aims at increasing strong solar foothold in the city. It also includes increasing solar panels across 40 civic buildings in the city and residents can also add another 50 to 100 MW of solar power into the local grid.
With the rise in electricity demand every year, this move may reduce burden on electricity companies. Prime Minister Modi introduced the first rooftop solar policy in Gujarat during his position as chief minister and this plan is now considered to accelerate power supply to the entire population.
NDMC is now floating tenders for the same to identify, design, erect, install and test these rooftops throughout Delhi which can make it second solar city after Chandigarh. The rent-a roof scheme would involve private players and they can hire spaces for their installations. Rent charge would be $0.05 for every unit of energy produced. Govt buildings like schools, hospitals and offices will be utilised for this purpose.
Delhi inaugurated rooftop policy in 2011 but it was scrapped due to lack of funds for this project. Today, Delhi can think about this project again as it can solve the energy crisis in the city which erupts every season. It must take some concrete steps for the solar installations, in order to reduce such crisis.
Currently, the government is luring consumers and and installers with subsidies and discounts to promote solar energy. These signs surely shows that India is progressing with slow yet steady speed to trap one of the free natural resources known to mankind.
